Besant Hill School
Overview
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Established in 1946 and situated on 520 acres in the resort town of Ojai, California, our residential community offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with a cornerstone of creative expression and divergent thinking for grades 9-12 and PG. Besant Hill School offers over 20 art electives, AP level courses, competitive athletics, travel and experiential education programs, small class sizes, a 4:1 student teacher ratio and a student body of 100 students from 15 foreign countries and 10 states. Our motto of "Aún Aprendo" reflects our belief that life can be lived in its fullest sense through lifelong efforts towards personal development and growth. We believe we are a model for the way education should occur, where students are taught how to think, not what to think, where our land is a laboratory for a sustainable planet, where rules are replaced with values and principles developed by all of us, where the arts are a foundation for our belief that creative expression is as important as reading, writing and arithmetic. We are a school that believes that life isn’t about finding yourself — it’s about creating yourself.
Academics
Summary: The Academic Program at Besant Hill School emphasizes the school motto, Aún Aprendo, I am still learning. Instilling a lifelong love of learning is the goal of our rigorous college preparatory curriculum. Within a framework of Universal Design, teachers employ multiple best practices in the classroom including, Socratic Method, Mastery Teaching and Cooperative Learning. We value and encourage creativity and the creative mindset in all classes, teaching how to think, not what to think. Academic classes, art classes and physical education classes are all valued equally in the pursuit of educating the whole person.
Department Director
Student/Teacher Ratio: 4:1
Average Class Size: 10
Summer Programs: Not Offered
Full Time Teachers: 25
Number of AP Courses Offered: 12
Teachers Holding Advanced Degrees: 50%
Number of IB Courses Offered: 0
Learning Support
- Evening Study Assistance
- Learning Center
- Learning Differences Support
- Peer Tutoring
- Study Skills Assistance
- Subject Tutoring
- Technology Center
- Writing Center
- ADD/ADHD Support
English
- Creative Writing
- Honors
- Literature
- Playwriting
- Poetry
History
- Honors
- United States History
- World History
Foreign Languages
- French
- Spanish
Religion / Philosophy
- Philosophy
- Religious Studies
- World Religions
Humanities / Social Sciences
- Economics
- Sociology
Sciences
- Earth Science
- Ecology
- Environmental Science
- Physical Science
- Physics
- Physiology
Math
- Algebra
- Calculus
- Geometry
- Honors Math
- Statistics
Computer Studies
- Web Design
- Graphic Design
- Digital Media
Music
- Band
- Choral Music
- Composition
- Electronic Music
- History of Jazz
- Individual Instructions
- Music Appreciation
- Music History
- Music Theory
- Orchestra
- Recording
- Soflege/Ear Training
- Songwriting
- Voice
Performing / Visual Arts
- Acting
- Animation
- Art History
- Ceramics
- Dance
- Debate
- Design
- Drama
- Drawing
- Fashion Design
- Fiber Arts
- Graphic Design
- Journalism
- Lighting Design
- Painting
- Photography
- Portfolio
- Pottery
- Printmaking
- Production
- Screen-Printing
- Screenwriting
- Sculpture
- Studio Art
- Textiles
- Theater Arts
- Theater Design
- Theater History
Special Programs
- Community Service
- Internships
- Leadership
- Outdoor Education
- Physical Education
- Public Speaking
- Student Council
- Digital Design
Distinctive or New Programs
Focus On Creativity Experential Education Divergent Thinking.
Campus Life
Dorm Life
Number of Dorms: 4
Average Students Per Dorm: 30
Number of Girls Dorms: 2
Number of Boys Dorms: 2
Dorm Amenities
- Game Room
- Laundry Facilities
- Lounge
- Wireless Internet
- Refrigerator
Other Dorm Amenities
Pool table; Ping Pong; TV; Student Store
Student Life
In addition to being an exceptional college-preparatory school, Besant Hill School is a wonderful place to live and learn. Student life at Besant Hill is full of opportunities to enjoy close friendships and discover leadership potential. Through a co-curricular agenda that encourages participation in student government, athletics, visual and fine arts, music and drama, our students are taught self-reliance, social skills, and responsibility in a supportive and caring environment. The focus of the Besant Hill School residential boarding program is to encourage an atmosphere that supports the academic, creative and personal growth of each student. All of our programs are designed to help students develop their skills in interpersonal communication and conflict management while always supporting their personal integrity. In essence, our students are preparing for their futures as citizens of the global community.
Facilities
- Baseball Field
- Basketball Court
- Fitness Center
- Pool
- Technology Center
- Volleyball Court
Other Facilities
Clubs & Organizations
- Amnesty International
- Community Service
- Dorm Proctors
- Habitat for Humanity
- Honor Council
- International Club
- Literary Magazine
- Photography Club
- Student Government
- Student Publications
- Yearbook
- Yoga Club
Arts & Athletics
Arts Department Director:
Athletics Department Director:
Notable Achievements: 2009/2010 CIF Championship- Basketball
Arts
- Acting
- Animation
- Art History
- Ceramics
- Dance
- Debate
- Design
- Drama
- Drawing
- Fashion Design
- Fiber Arts
- Graphic Design
- Journalism
- Lighting Design
- Painting
- Photography
- Portfolio
- Pottery
- Printmaking
- Production
- Screen-Printing
- Screenwriting
- Sculpture
- Studio Art
- Textiles
- Theater Arts
- Theater Design
- Theater History
Interscholastic Sports
- Basketball
- Cross Country Running
- Golf
- Soccer
- Swimming
- Volleyball
Recreational Sports
- Camping
- Dance
- Hiking
- Outdoor Education
- Rock Climbing
- Surfing
- Swimming
- Table Tennis
- Tennis
- Weight Lifting
Graduates
Summary: Summary: At Besant Hill School, the College Counseling Office works closely with all students and their families from the moment they arrive on campus. As a college preparatory school, BHS provides students with comprehensive guidance about the journey toward higher education, including appropriate course selection, co- and extracurricular enrichment, community service, leadership, standardized testing and preparation, the college search, application drafting, finalization and submission, cultivating effective support documentation, need- and merit-based financial aid advisement, and counsel to determine the best overall undergraduate fit. Students are apprised of their many college options and are supported as they develop the tools necessary to thoughtfully research and successfully apply and transition to the college of their choosing. As more and more colleges move toward test optional policies and a holistic admissions review, we encourage well-roundedness and personal development in our students, in addition to scholastic achievement and excellence. BHS does not view college admission as "a prize to be won". It is the result of thoughtful self-reflection, research, preparation and execution. Hence, the college counseling process at Besant Hill is highly individualized, the goal being to identify and secure the best possible match between each unique student and college or university optimally suited to meet their needs, strengths and objectives. Our students matriculate to a wide range of institutions, from national liberal arts colleges to public land-grant universities to professional art schools and music conservatories. 100% of Besant Hill graduates gain admission to four-year institutions, and occasionally students opt to defer entry for a year to pursue interim semester or year-long enrichment opportunities.
College Information
Precentage of graduates who attend college: 100%
Middle Percentile of SAT Scores | Reading | Math | Writing |
---|---|---|---|
25th percentile | |||
75th percentile |
Vital Information
Student Body Type: Coed
Total Boarding: 68
Total Day: 9
Total Enrollment: 77
Boys: 36
Girls: 41
Boarding Grades Offered: 9-12
Day Grades Offered: 9-12
School Type: High School, Post-grad
Dress Code: Casual
Applications Accepted: SAO
Application Deadline: Rolling
Tuition & Financial Aid
7-Day Boarding: $57,750
5-Day Boarding: N/A
Day Tuition Fee: $26,350
Need-Based Aid: Offered
Payment Plans: Offered
Students Receiving Aid: 20%
Average Awarded: $11,000
School Finances
Merit Scholarships: Not Offered
Students Receiving Merit Scholarships: %
Average Merit Scholarship: $
Current Endowment Amount: $2,000,000
Contact
Director of Admissions: Alex Spence
Admissions Phone: 8056464343
Fax: 805 646 4371
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.besanthill.org/








